E3 2019: Mario Maker 2 Will Let You Play Online With Friends After All

Super Mario Maker 2 introduces a variety of new tools and features for players to tinker around with, but one of the biggest additions is online and local multiplayer–albeit with a caveat. Initially, the game wouldn’t allow you to play online with friends; it would only match you up with strangers, much to the disappointment of fans. However, that option is thankfully coming after all.

During a Treehouse livestream following Nintendo’s E3 2019 Direct, game producer Takashi Tezuka revealed that Nintendo will implement the ability to play online with friends. Following the stream, the Nintendo of America Twitter account confirmed this will be added to the game through a post-launch update, although it didn’t share when that is expected to arrive.

Mario Maker 2 features two online multiplayer modes: Versus and Co-Op. As their names suggest, Versus is a more competitive mode that has players racing to reach the goal first; Co-Op, on the other hand, has players working together to clear the level. You can also pass a second controller to a nearby player and build levels together. Mario Maker 2 introduces a Story mode and makes some other welcome changes as well, such as giving you access to almost all of its tools right from the start.

Super Mario Maker 2 launches for Nintendo Switch on June 28. You’ll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription in order to play and share levels online, but Nintendo is offering a bundle that includes the game and a 12-month NSO subscription for a discount. You can read more in our Super Mario Maker 2 pre-order guide.